Motor and electronic apparatus using the same

ABSTRACT

A rotor  14  is rotatably disposed around a stator  13  that is provided with a plurality of magnetic poles  13   a . The inner circumferential face of a rotor frame  14   b  of the rotor is provided with a magnet  15  magnetized to have alternately opposite polarities in a direction opposing the stator, and magnetized to have alternately opposite polarities in a direction opposing a substrate. The outer circumferential ends of the magnetic poles of the stator are provided with a first extended portion  13   c  that extends from a magnetic pole base  13   d  to a substrate  11  side, and a second extended portion  13   b  that extends from the magnetic pole base to a side opposite the substrate side. A face of the substrate opposing the rotor is provided with a FG pattern  19 . When a distance between an end of the rotor frame on the substrate side and the substrate is taken as A, a distance between an end of the first extended portion on the substrate side and the substrate is taken as B, and a distance between the end of the first extended portion on the substrate side and the magnet is taken as G, B≦A≦B+G is satisfied. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the precision in detecting the rotational speed by reducing noise superimposed on the FG signal, while securing a high driving efficiency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a motor and an electronic apparatus using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

In electronic apparatuses such as laser printers, a paper feed roller (driven member) provided in a main body case is coupled via a deceleration mechanism to a driving shaft of a motor. When this motor is driven, the paper feed roller rotates and feeds paper to a predetermined portion.

As this motor, a brushless DC motor that ordinarily is used includes: a stator on whose outer circumference a plurality of magnetic poles are arranged at a first predetermined interval; and a rotor that is rotatably disposed around the stator; wherein an inner circumferential face of the rotor is provided with a magnet magnetized to have opposite polarities at a second predetermined interval (main magnetization).

In this sort of motor, ordinarily in order to arrange the magnet of the rotor as close as possible to a magnetism-detecting element that magnetically detects rotation of the rotor, the size of the magnet in a direction parallel to a motor-driving shaft is set larger than the size of a magnetic pole base of the stator in the same direction. In this case, an extended portion, called an “end plate”, that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the magnet often is formed on both sides of a magnetic pole base, at outer circumferential ends of the magnetic poles of the stator (see JP H9-285044A and JP 2007-244004A, for example). Accordingly, the area in which the magnet of the rotor and the magnetic poles of the stator oppose each other increases, and, thus, the driving force and the driving efficiency of the motor can be increased.

Furthermore, for example, in the case where a paper feed roller of a laser printer is driven via a deceleration mechanism, the rotation of a brushless DC motor has to be controlled precisely. Accordingly the rotational speed of the brushless DC motor has to be detected at a certain level of resolution.

As a speed-detecting method appropriate for this sort of purpose, a FG method (described later) ordinarily is used. That is to say, the magnet of the rotor is magnetized to generate a torque (main magnetization), and, moreover, multi-pole magnetization (FG magnetization) in a direction opposing the substrate is performed on a face of the magnet opposing a substrate. Furthermore, the substrate is provided with a FG pattern in the circumferential direction, in which linear elements in the same number as that of magnetized poles of the FG magnetization are connected in series. When the rotor rotates, an induced voltage is generated at the linear elements due to magnetic fluxes obtained by the FG magnetization, and a speed detection signal (FG signal) at a frequency proportional to the rotations of the motor can be obtained through this FG pattern.

In this sort of FG method, in order to reduce the influence of magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization, there is a known method for canceling the influence of magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization, by configuring the FG pattern from a main pattern and a cancellation pattern and connecting the main pattern and the cancellation pattern in series (see JP 2006-25537A, for example).

However, in the case where an extended portion that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the magnet is provided at outer circumferential ends of the magnetic poles of the stator, it may be difficult to cancel the influence of magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization in the above-described FG method. The reason is as follows.

The extended portion provided at the outer circumferential ends of the magnetic poles has a magnetism collecting effect, and, thus, most of magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization are drawn into the extended portion. However, part of the magnetic fluxes flowing into the extended portion leaks out of the extended portion due to magnetic saturation of the extended portion, and forms leakage magnetic fluxes. These leakage magnetic fluxes significantly affect a portion of the FG pattern close to the stator (i.e., a portion on the inner circumferential side of the FG pattern in the radial direction). Accordingly, the influence of the leakage magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization differs between a portion of the FG pattern close to the stator and a portion away from the stator in the radial direction, and the influence of magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization cannot be canceled sufficiently. As a result, noise is superimposed on the FG signal, and the precision in detecting the rotational speed is lowered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-described conventional problem, by improving the precision in detecting the rotational speed by reducing noise superimposed on the FG signal, while securing a high driving efficiency, in a motor in which extended portions are provided at outer circumferential ends of magnetic poles of a stator.

The present invention is directed to a motor, including: a stator that is mounted on a substrate and on whose outer circumference a plurality of magnetic poles are arranged at a first predetermined interval; and a rotor that is rotatably disposed around the stator. The rotor includes a rotor frame, and a magnet that is provided on the inner circumferential face of the rotor frame. The magnet is magnetized to have opposite polarities at a second predetermined interval in a direction opposing the stator, and magnetized to have opposite polarities at a third predetermined interval in a direction opposing the substrate. Each of the outer circumferential ends of the plurality of magnetic poles of the stator is provided with a first extended portion that extends from a magnetic pole base to the substrate side, and a second extended portion that extends from the magnetic pole base to a side opposite the substrate side. A face of the substrate opposing the rotor is provided with a FG pattern including a main pattern and a cancellation pattern at a position substantially opposing the magnet. When a distance between an end of the rotor frame on the substrate side and the substrate is taken as A, a distance between an end of the first extended portion on the substrate side and the substrate is taken as B, and a distance between the end of the first extended portion on the substrate side and the magnet is taken as G, B≦A≦B+G is satisfied.

The present invention is directed to an electronic apparatus, including: a main body case; a driven member that is provided in the main body case; and a motor that is coupled to the driven member; wherein the motor is the motor according to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a motor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stator constituting the motor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a FG pattern provided in the motor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing simplified flows of magnetic fluxes near the FG pattern in the motor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing simplified flows of magnetic fluxes near the FG pattern in a conventional motor.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a motor according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a motor according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a motor according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a motor according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of an example of an electronic apparatus using the motor of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the motor of the present invention, outer circumferential ends of the magnetic poles of the stator have the first and the second extended portions, and, thus, a magnetism collecting effect on magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization can be improved, and a high driving efficiency can be realized.

Furthermore, since B≦A≦B+G is satisfied, the influence of leakage magnetic fluxes, among magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization flowing into the first extended portion, can be made substantially uniform between the inner circumferential portion of the FG pattern and the outer circumferential portion thereof. Accordingly, the influence of these leakage magnetic fluxes can be canceled between the main pattern and the cancellation pattern. Accordingly, noise superimposed on the FG signal is reduced, and the precision in detecting the rotational speed using the FG pattern can be improved.

Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a motor having an improved precision in detecting the rotational speed using the FG signal, while maintaining a driving efficiency obtained by providing the first and the second extended portions.

The electronic apparatus of the present invention drives a driven member using the above-described motor of the present invention and thus can drive the driven member efficiently and precisely.

In the motor of the present invention, the first extended portion may be inclined such that a distance to the magnet increases as the end of the first extended portion on the substrate side is approached. Alternatively, the number of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the first extended portion may be smaller than the number of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the second extended portion. Alternatively, the first extended portion may be configured from a plurality of plate-shaped members, and a plate-shaped member that is the closest to the magnet among the plurality of plate-shaped members may have a height from the magnetic pole base lower than that of another plate-shaped member. Alternatively, a height of the first extended portion from the magnetic pole base may be lower than a height of the second extended portion from the magnetic pole base. Accordingly, the influence of leakage magnetic fluxes from the first extended portion, among magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization, can be made further uniform between a portion of the FG pattern close to the first extended portion and a portion away therefrom. As a result, noise superimposed on the FG signal is further reduced, and the precision in detecting the rotational speed using the FG pattern can be further improved.

In the description above, it is preferable that an end portion of the magnet on the substrate side is projected further toward the substrate side than is the end of the first extended portion on the substrate side. Accordingly, displacement of the magnetic center caused because the first extended portion and the second extended portion are asymmetrical can be corrected. Thus, deterioration of precision in rotation or generation of noise and vibration can be suppressed.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described using preferred embodiments. Here, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a motor 12 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The cross-sectional view of the motor 12 is substantially symmetrical with respect to a driving shaft 18, and, thus, FIG. 1 shows only a half portion with respect to the driving shaft 18. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stator 13 constituting the motor 12 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a FG pattern 19 provided in the motor 12 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 shows only a first quadrant of the FG pattern 19.

In the description below, the direction of the driving shaft 18 of the motor 12 is taken as a vertical direction, and the upper side and the lower side in the section of the diagram of FIG. 1 are referred to respectively as an “upper side” and a “lower side” of the motor 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the motor 12 of Embodiment 1 includes the stator 13 that is mounted on a wiring board (substrate) 11 via an attachment portion 21, and a rotor 14 that is disposed around the stator 13. The rotor 14 has a cylindrical rotor frame 14 b made of a material having a high magnetic permeability such as iron. The upper end of the rotor frame 14 b has a top plate 14 a fixed thereto, and the lower end of the rotor frame 14 b is open. The inner circumferential face of the attachment portion 21 is provided with a plurality of bearings 17. The driving shaft 18 of the motor 12 passes through the plurality of bearings 17, and the upper end of the driving shaft 18 is fixed to the top plate 14 a of the rotor 14. As a result, the rotor 14 and the driving shaft 18 are freely rotatable with respect to the stator 13 via the plurality of bearings 17. A magnet 15 in the shape of a ring is fixed to the inner circumferential face of the rotor frame 14 b. A face of the magnet 15 opposing the stator 13 is magnetized (main magnetization) such that an N-pole and an S-pole are formed alternately (such that adjacent poles have opposite polarities) at a predetermined interval in a direction opposing the stator 13 (radial direction). Furthermore, in addition to the main magnetization, multi-pole magnetization (FG magnetization) such that an N-pole and an S-pole are alternately formed at a predetermined interval in a direction opposing the wiring board 11 (vertical direction) is performed on a face of the magnet 15 opposing the wiring board 11.

The stator 13 may be a layered member in which a plurality of plate-shaped members having the same thickness (e.g., thin steel plates having a high magnetic permeability) are layered. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of magnetic poles 13 a are arranged at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction on the outer circumference of the stator 13. A coil 16 for an electromagnet is wound about a portion where a magnetic circuit is formed (a magnetic path 13 e, see FIG. 1) on the inner side of each magnetic pole 13 a. When an AC power is applied to the coil 16, each magnetic pole 13 a is magnetized to have an N-polarity and an S-polarity alternately. Accordingly, attraction or repulsion is generated between the magnetic pole 13 a and the magnet 15 opposing each other, the rotor 14 rotates about the driving shaft 18, and a rotational driving force is output via the driving shaft 18.

The wiring board 11 is provided with the FG pattern 19. As shown in FIG. 3, in order to reduce the influence of the main magnetization, the FG pattern 19 is configured from a zigzag main pattern 19 a and a circular cancellation pattern 19 b, and the main pattern 19 a and the cancellation pattern 19 b are connected in series. Here, the configuration of the main pattern 19 a and the cancellation pattern 19 b is not limited to that in FIG. 3, and configurations other than the above can be applied. Furthermore, the main pattern 19 a may be provided inside the cancellation pattern 19 b (on the driving shaft 18 side).

As the amount of magnetic fluxes obtained by the FG magnetization of the magnet 15 linked to the FG pattern 19 increases, the S/N ratio of a FG signal output from the FG pattern 19 is improved. Accordingly, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the FG pattern 19 is disposed at a position substantially opposing the magnet 15, on the upper face (face opposing the rotor 14) of the wiring board 11. Furthermore, in order to arrange the magnet 15 and the FG pattern 19 as close to each other as possible, an end portion of the magnet 15 on the wiring board 11 side (i.e., the lower end of the magnet 15) is extended to be near the wiring board 11.

As a result, the vertical size of the magnet 15 increases. In accordance with this increase, the outer circumferential end of each magnetic pole 13 a of the stator 13 is provided with a first extended portion 13 c that extends from a central magnetic pole base 13 d to the wiring board 11 side (lower side), and a second extended portion 13 b that extends from the magnetic pole base 13 d to the side opposite the wiring board 11 side (upper side, that is, on the top plate 14 a side). The first extended portion 13 c and the second extended portion 13 b are substantially parallel to the magnet 15, that is, substantially parallel to the axial direction of the driving shaft 18. More specifically, the first extended portion 13 c is formed by bending outer circumferential portions of two lower layers, including the lowermost layer, of a plurality of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the stator 13 downward at a substantially right angle, and the second extended portion 13 b is formed by bending outer circumferential portions of two upper layers, including the uppermost layer, of the plurality of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the stator 13 upward at a substantially right angle. Here, the number of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the first and the second extended portions 13 c and 13 b is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more.

In the case where the first extended portion 13 c and the second extended portion 13 b are arranged vertically on the magnetic pole base 13 d from the outer circumferential end of the magnetic pole 13 a in this manner, the area in which the magnetic pole 13 a and the vertically extended magnet 15 oppose each other increases as shown in FIG. 1. The first extended portion 13 c and the second extended portion 13 b have a magnetism collecting effect, and, thus, magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization drawn into the stator 13 increase, and the driving force and the driving efficiency of the motor 12 are improved. The first extended portion 13 c and the second extended portion 13 b ordinarily are referred to as end plates.

In the present invention, when, as shown in FIG. 1, the distance between the end of the rotor frame 14 b on the wiring board 11 side (i.e., lower end) and the wiring board 11 (the distance in the direction parallel to the driving shaft 18) is taken as A, the distance between the end of the first extended portion 13 c on the wiring board 11 side and the wiring board 11 (the distance in the direction parallel to the driving shaft 18) is taken as B, and the distance between the end of the first extended portion 13 c on the wiring board 11 side and the magnet 15 (the distance in the radial direction) is taken as G, B≦A≦B+G is satisfied. The effect obtained by this configuration will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing, as arrows, simplified flows of magnetic fluxes near the FG pattern 19 in the motor 12 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing, as arrows, simplified flows of magnetic fluxes near the FG pattern 19 in a conventional motor 12′. The conventional motor 12′ shown in FIG. 5 is different from the motor 12 of Embodiment 1 in that A>B+G.

In both of the motor 12 of Embodiment 1 and the conventional motor 12′, magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization are collected to the extended portions 13 b and 13 c through their magnetism collecting effect. Most of the collected magnetic fluxes pass through the extended portions 13 b and 13 c, and proceed to the magnetic path 13 e of the magnetic pole 13 a. However, due to magnetic saturation of the extended portions 13 b and 13 c, part of the magnetic fluxes leaks out of the extended portions 13 b and 13 c, and forms leakage magnetic fluxes. The leakage magnetic fluxes can be reduced by increasing the thickness of the extended portions 13 b and 13 c, but cannot be completely reduced to zero. Furthermore, since the extended portions 13 b and 13 c are arranged at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction, a magnetism collecting effect on magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization differs between a portion where the extended portions 13 b and 13 c are present and a portion where these extended portions are not present, and, thus, leakage magnetic fluxes from the extended portions 13 b and 13 c become non-uniform.

In the conventional motor 12′, as shown in FIG. 5, the distance A between the end of the rotor frame 14 b on the wiring board 11 side and the wiring board 11 is large. Accordingly, the degree of influence of leakage magnetic fluxes from the first extended portion 13 c, among magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization, is larger at a portion of the FG pattern 19 close to the first extended portion 13 c (e.g., the cancellation pattern 19 b) than at a portion of the FG pattern 19 away from the first extended portion 13 c (e.g., the outer portion of the main pattern 19 a). Accordingly, the influence of magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization cannot be canceled sufficiently by the main pattern 19 a and the cancellation pattern 19 b, and noise is superimposed on the FG signal.

On the other hand, in the motor 12 of Embodiment 1, B≦A≦B+G is satisfied as shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, a magnetic path extending from the magnet 15 via the first extended portion 13 c to the FG pattern 19 and a magnetic path extending from the magnet 15 via the rotor frame 14 b to the FG pattern 19 are balanced. Accordingly, the degree of influence of leakage magnetic fluxes from the first extended portion 13 c, among magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization, is substantially uniform between a portion of the FG pattern 19 close to the first extended portion 13 c (e.g., the cancellation pattern 19 b) and a portion away therefrom (e.g., the outer portion of the main pattern 19 a). Accordingly, the influence of leakage magnetic fluxes generated from the first extended portion 13 c can be canceled by the main pattern 19 a and the cancellation pattern 19 b, noise superimposed on the FG signal is reduced, and the precision in detecting the rotational speed using the FG pattern 19 can be improved.

In the motor 12 of Embodiment 1 and the conventional motor 12′, the influence of magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization on the main pattern 19 a and the cancellation pattern 19 b was confirmed using a magnetic field analysis. The analysis method was as follows. A frequency analysis was performed on an induced voltage generated at each of the main pattern 19 a and the cancellation pattern 19 b constituting the FG pattern 19 due to magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization when the rotor 14 rotated. Then, the voltage of noise components contained in the induced voltage generated at the main pattern 19 a and the induced voltage generated at the cancellation pattern 19 b were obtained, and the voltage of noise components remaining after these voltages were canceled was obtained. Table 1 shows the results.

TABLE 1 Product of the present Conventional invention product Voltage of noise components contained in 0.18 0.19 induced voltage generated at main pattern [mV] Induced voltage generated at cancellation 0.14 0.10 pattern [mV] Voltage of noise components contained in FG 0.04 0.08 signal [mV]

According to Table 1, the voltage of noise components of the motor 12 of Embodiment 1 (“product of the present invention”) satisfying B≦A≦B+G is lower than that of the conventional motor 12′ (“conventional product”) in which A>B+G. Accordingly, in the motor 12 of Embodiment 1, the influence of magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization is canceled between the main pattern 19 a and the cancellation pattern 19 b, and, thus, noise components superimposed on the FG signal can be reduced. It was confirmed that, as a result, the rotational speed can be detected with a high precision.

It is preferable that, as shown in FIG. 1, a central position P19 of the FG pattern 19 in the radial direction and a central position P15 of the magnet 15 in the radial direction match in the radial direction. Accordingly, the influence of leakage magnetic fluxes from the first extended portion 13 c, among magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization, is made further uniform between an inner circumferential portion of the FG pattern 19 (a portion close to the first extended portion 13 c) and an outer circumferential portion thereof (a portion away from the first extended portion 13 c) in the radial direction. Accordingly, noise superimposed on the FG signal by leakage magnetic fluxes generated from the first extended portion 13 c is reduced further, and the precision in detecting the rotational speed using the FG pattern 19 can be improved further.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a motor according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As in FIG. 1, FIG. 6 shows only a half portion with respect to the driving shaft 18. In FIG. 6, the same portions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 6, Embodiment 2 is different from Embodiment 1 in that the first extended portion 13 c is formed by bending two lower layers of a plurality of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the stator 13 at an angle larger than a right angle. As a result, the first extended portion 13 c is inclined such that the distance to the magnet 15 (the distance in the radial direction) increases as an end 13 c 1 on the wiring board 11 side is approached. Meanwhile, the second extended portion 13 b is formed by bending two upper layers of the plurality of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the stator 13 at a substantially right angle as in Embodiment 1. Here, the number of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the first and the second extended portions 13 c and 13 b is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more.

In the case where the first extended portion 13 c is inclined as described above, the distance G between the end 13 c 1 of the first extended portion 13 c on the wiring board 11 side and the magnet 15 increases. Accordingly, a configuration that satisfies A≦B+G can be realized easily. Accordingly, the influence of leakage magnetic fluxes from the first extended portion 13 c, among magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization, can be made more uniform than that in Embodiment 1 between a portion of the FG pattern 19 close to the first extended portion 13 c and a portion away therefrom. As a result, noise superimposed on the FG signal is further reduced, and the precision in detecting the rotational speed using the FG pattern 19 can be improved further.

In Embodiment 2, the cross-sectional shapes of the first extended portion 13 c and the second extended portion 13 b are asymmetrical with respect to the magnetic pole base 13 d, and, thus, the magnetic center is displaced from the central position in the vertical direction of the stator 13. Accordingly, attractions to or repulsions from the magnet 15 are asymmetrical between the upper portion and the lower portion of the stator 13, and deterioration of precision in rotation, generation of noise and vibration, or the like may occur.

Accordingly, in Embodiment 2, the lower end of the magnet 15 (the end portion on the wiring board 11 side) is projected further toward the wiring board 11 side than the lower end 13 c 1 of the first extended portion 13 c is. Here, the upper end of the magnet 15 (the end portion on the top plate 14 a side) and an upper end 13 b 1 of the second extended portion 13 b are at substantially the same position in the vertical direction. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, a distance Lc from the central line A-A of the stator 13 in the vertical direction to the lower end of the magnet 15 is longer than a distance Lb from the central line A-A′ to the upper end of the magnet 15.

In the case where the magnet 15 overhangs further toward the wiring board 11 side than the first extended portion 13 c is in this manner, displacement of the magnetic center caused because the amount of magnetic fluxes differs between the first extended portion 13 c and the second extended portion 13 b can be corrected. Accordingly, deterioration of precision in rotation or generation of noise and vibration, caused because the first extended portion 13 c and the second extended portion 13 b are asymmetrical, can be suppressed. Here, the correction of displacement of the magnetic center can be performed, for example, by comparing differences in the amounts of magnetic fluxes at an average gap in a portion having the distance Lb above the central line A-A′ and at an average gap in a portion having the distance Lc below the central line A-A, using a permeance calculation.

Embodiment 2 is the same as Embodiment 1 except for the above-described aspects.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a motor according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. As in FIG. 1, FIG. 7 shows only a half portion with respect to the driving shaft 18. In FIG. 7, the same portions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 7, Embodiment 3 is different from Embodiment 1 in that the number of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the first extended portion 13 c on the wiring board 11 side is smaller than the number of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the second extended portion 13 b on the top plate 14 a side of the rotor 14. More specifically, the first extended portion 13 c is formed by bending one layer of plate-shaped member that is the lowermost layer of a plurality of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the stator 13 downward so as to be substantially parallel to the magnet 15, and the second extended portion 13 b is formed by bending two upper layers of plate-shaped members, including the uppermost layer, of the plurality of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the stator 13 upward so as to be substantially parallel to the magnet 15. The position at which the lowermost plate-shaped member is bent and the position at which the uppermost plate-shaped member is bent substantially match in the radial direction.

Here, the numbers of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the first extended portion 13 c and the second extended portion 13 b are not limited to those described above. For example, the first extended portion 13 c may be configured from two layers of plate-shaped members, and the second extended portion 13 b may be configured from three layers of plate-shaped members.

In the case where the first extended portion 13 c is configured from plate-shaped members in a number smaller than that of the second extended portion 13 b as described above, the distance G between the end 13 c 1 of the first extended portion 13 c on the wiring board 11 side and the magnet 15 increases. Accordingly, a configuration that satisfies A≦B+G can be realized easily. Accordingly, the influence of leakage magnetic fluxes from the first extended portion 13 c, among magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization, can be made more uniform than that in Embodiment 1 between a portion of the FG pattern 19 close to the first extended portion 13 c and a portion away therefrom. As a result, noise superimposed on the FG signal is further reduced, and the precision in detecting the rotational speed using the FG pattern 19 can be improved further.

Also in Embodiment 3, it is preferable as in Embodiment 2 that the lower end of the magnet 15 is projected further toward the wiring board 11 side than the lower end 13 c 1 of the first extended portion 13 c is such that the distance Lc from the central line A-A′ of the stator 13 in the vertical direction to the lower end of the magnet 15 is longer than the distance Lb from the central line A-A′ to the upper end of the magnet 15. Accordingly, deterioration of precision in rotation or generation of noise and vibration can be suppressed.

Embodiment 3 is the same as Embodiment 1 except for the above-described aspects.

Embodiment 4

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a motor according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. As in FIG. 1, FIG. 8 shows only a half portion with respect to the driving shaft 18. In FIG. 8, the same portions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In Embodiment 4, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of plate-shaped members constituting the first extended portion 13 c on the wiring board 11 side have a height (vertical distance) from the magnetic pole base 13 d that increases as the distance from the magnet 15 increases. More specifically, the first extended portion 13 c is formed by bending two lower layers of plate-shaped members, including the lowermost layer, of a plurality of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the stator 13 downward so as to be substantially parallel to the magnet 15. Here, the distance from the magnetic pole base 13 d to the lower end of a plate-shaped member away from the magnet 15 (the lowermost plate-shaped member), of two bent layers of plate-shaped members, is longer than that to the lower end of a plate-shaped member close to the magnet. This sort of configuration can be realized, for example, simply by setting two layers of plate-shaped members constituting the first extended portion 13 c to the same size, and bending the outer circumferential portions thereof toward the wiring board 11. Accordingly, two layers of plate-shaped members constituting the first extended portion 13 c can be formed in the same shape using the same mold, and, thus, the production efficiency is improved.

As in Embodiments 1 to 3, a plurality of plate-shaped members constituting the second extended portion 13 b on the top plate 14 a side have the same height (vertical distance) from the magnetic pole base 13 d.

Here, the numbers of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the first extended portion 13 c and the second extended portion 13 b are not limited to those described above. The first extended portion 13 c need only be configured from a plurality of plate-shaped members. Furthermore, all of the plurality of plate-shaped members constituting the first extended portion 13 c do not have to have mutually different heights from the magnetic pole base 13 d. A plate-shaped member that is the closest to the magnet 15 among the plurality of plate-shaped members constituting the first extended portion 13 c need only have a height from the magnetic pole base 13 d lower than that of the other plate-shaped members.

In the case where a plate-shaped member that is the closest to the magnet 15 among the plurality of plate-shaped members constituting the first extended portion 13 c is caused to have a lower height as described above, the distance G between the end 13 c 1 of the first extended portion 13 c on the wiring board 11 side and the magnet 15 increases. Accordingly, a configuration that satisfies A≦B+G can be realized easily. Accordingly, the influence of leakage magnetic fluxes from the first extended portion 13 c, among magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization, can be made more uniform than that in Embodiment 1 between a portion of the FG pattern 19 close to the first extended portion 13 c and a portion away therefrom. As a result, noise superimposed on the FG signal is further reduced, and the precision in detecting the rotational speed using the FG pattern 19 can be improved further.

Also in Embodiment 4, it is preferable as in Embodiments 2 and 3 that the lower end of the magnet 15 is projected further toward the wiring board 11 side than the lower end 13 c 1 of the first extended portion 13 c is such that the distance Lc from the central line A-A′ of the stator 13 in the vertical direction to the lower end of the magnet 15 is longer than the distance Lb from the central line A-A to the upper end of the magnet 15. Accordingly, deterioration of precision in rotation or generation of noise and vibration can be suppressed.

Embodiment 4 is the same as Embodiment 1 except for the above-described aspects.

Embodiment 5

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a motor according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. As in FIG. 1, FIG. 9 shows only a half portion with respect to the driving shaft 18. In FIG. 9, the same portions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In Embodiment 5, as shown in FIG. 9, the height (vertical distance) of the first extended portion 13 c from the magnetic pole base 13 d is lower than the height (vertical distance) of the second extended portion 13 b from the magnetic pole base 13 d.

In the case where the first extended portion 13 c is caused to have a lower height than the second extended portion 13 b as described above, the distance B between the end 13 c 1 of the first extended portion 13 c on the wiring board 11 side and the wiring board 11 increases. Accordingly, a configuration that satisfies B≦A≦B+G can be realized easily by increasing the distance A according to the distance B.

Accordingly the influence of leakage magnetic fluxes from the first extended portion 13 c, among magnetic fluxes obtained by the main magnetization, can be made more uniform than that in Embodiment 1 between a portion of the FG pattern 19 close to the first extended portion 13 c and a portion away therefrom. As a result, noise superimposed on the FG signal is further reduced, and the precision in detecting the rotational speed using the FG pattern 19 can be improved further.

Also in Embodiment 5, it is preferable as in Embodiments 2 to 4 that the lower end of the magnet 15 is projected further toward the wiring board 11 side than the lower end 13 c 1 of the first extended portion 13 c is such that the distance Lc from the central line A-A′ of the stator 13 in the vertical direction to the lower end of the magnet 15 is longer than the distance Lb from the central line A-A to the upper end of the magnet 15. Accordingly, deterioration of precision in rotation or generation of noise and vibration can be suppressed.

Embodiment 5 is the same as Embodiment 1 except for the above-described aspects.

Two or more of Embodiments 2 to 5 described above may be combined as appropriate.

Embodiment 6

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of an example of an electronic apparatus using the motor of the present invention. In FIG. 10, an electronic apparatus 61 includes a casing 62 that functions as a main body case, an electric motor 67 mounted inside the casing 62, a driving unit 65 for driving the electric motor 67, a power source 68 for supplying electricity to the driving unit 65, and a load (driven member) 69 such as a mechanism portion that is driven using the electric motor 67 as a power source. Here, the electric motor 67 and the driving unit 65 constitute an electric motor drive apparatus 63. The electric motor 67 is driven by electrical power supplied from the power source 68 via the driving unit 65. A rotational torque is transmitted via the driving shaft of the electric motor 67 to the load 69. The motor 12 of the present invention can be used as the electric motor 67.

For example, a laser printer can be given as an example of the electronic apparatus 61. In this case, a paper feed roller corresponds to the load 69. The motor 12 of the present invention may be mounted together with various electronic components on the wiring board 11 that is horizontally provided in a main body case of the laser printer. In the motor 12, a gear (not shown) can be fixed to a lower portion of the driving shaft 18 that passes through the wiring board 11 and extends downward, and this gear and a gear provided at the paper feed roller can be coupled to each other via a gearbox (not shown) functioning as a deceleration mechanism. The motor 12 of the present invention has a high driving efficiency and excellent precision in detecting the rotational speed, and, thus, paper can be sent efficiently and precisely while suppressing non-uniform rotation, noise, and the like, and a laser printer can be realized that can perform accurate printing without print position shift or the like.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a motor that has an improved precision in detecting the rotational speed while maintaining efficient driving. Thus, the present invention is preferable for a motor that is used in electronic apparatuses such as laser printers, laser copiers, and the like. Here, the motor of the present invention is not limited to these, and can be used widely as a motor that is required to have a highly precise rotation.

The embodiments described above are solely intended to elucidate the technological content of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to or by these specific examples alone. Various modifications are possible within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims, and the present invention should be interpreted broadly. 

1. A motor, comprising: a stator that is mounted on a substrate and on whose outer circumference a plurality of magnetic poles are arranged at a first predetermined interval; and a rotor that is rotatably disposed around the stator; wherein the rotor includes a rotor frame, and a magnet that is provided on an inner circumferential face of the rotor frame, the magnet is magnetized to have opposite polarities at a second predetermined interval in a direction opposing the stator, and magnetized to have opposite polarities at a third predetermined interval in a direction opposing the substrate, each of outer circumferential ends of the plurality of magnetic poles of the stator is provided with a first extended portion that extends from a magnetic pole base to the substrate side, and a second extended portion that extends from the magnetic pole base to a side opposite the substrate side, a face of the substrate opposing the rotor is provided with a FG pattern including a main pattern and a cancellation pattern at a position substantially opposing the magnet, and when a distance between an end of the rotor frame on the substrate side and the substrate is taken as A, a distance between an end of the first extended portion on the substrate side and the substrate is taken as B, and a distance between the end of the first extended portion on the substrate side and the magnet is taken as G, B≦A≦B+G is satisfied.
 2. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the first extended portion is inclined such that a distance to the magnet increases as the end of the first extended portion on the substrate side is approached.
 3. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the number of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the first extended portion is smaller than the number of layers of plate-shaped members constituting the second extended portion.
 4. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the first extended portion is configured from a plurality of plate-shaped members, and a plate-shaped member that is the closest to the magnet among the plurality of plate-shaped members has a height from the magnetic pole base lower than that of another plate-shaped member.
 5. The motor according to claim 1, wherein a height of the first extended portion from the magnetic pole base is lower than a height of the second extended portion from the magnetic pole base.
 6. The motor according to claim 1, wherein an end portion of the magnet on the substrate side is projected further toward the substrate side than the end of the first extended portion on the substrate side is.
 7. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a main body case; a driven member that is provided in the main body case; and a motor that is coupled to the driven member; wherein the motor is the motor according to claim
 1. 